King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 41:12 Mean?

Ezekiel 41:12 in the King James Version says “Now the building that was before the separate place at the end toward the west was seventy cubits broad; and the wall of...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 41 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Now the building that was before the separate place at the end toward the west was seventy cubits broad; and the wall of the building was five cubits thick round about, and the length thereof ninety cubits.”

Ezekiel 41:12 · King James Version

Context

10

And between the chambers was the wideness of twenty cubits round about the house on every side.

11

And the doors of the side chambers were toward the place that was left, one door toward the north, and another door toward the south: and the breadth of the place that was left was five cubits round about.

12

Now the building that was before the separate place at the end toward the west was seventy cubits broad; and the wall of the building was five cubits thick round about, and the length thereof ninety cubits.

13

So he measured the house, an hundred cubits long; and the separate place, and the building, with the walls thereof, an hundred cubits long;

14

Also the breadth of the face of the house, and of the separate place toward the east, an hundred cubits.

Read Ezekiel 41 full chapter

Commentaries4 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
The building that was before the separate place at the end toward the west—this structure faced the gizrah (גִּזְרָה, separate/restricted place), the holy precinct's western boundary. Its substantial dimensions (seventy cubits broad, ninety cubits long) with five-cubit walls demonstrate both magnitude and sacred separation.

The western orientation is significant: the Most Holy Place faced east, so this building formed a protective barrier preventing western approach (the direction of pagan nations and setting sun). It symbolizes how God's holiness requires boundaries against defilement, fulfilled in Christ who sanctifies and separates His people from the world (John 17:14-19).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Solomon's temple had a western boundary structure, but this vision's building is larger and more precisely defined. The 'separate place' maintained ritual purity by preventing common use of sacred space, a concept central to Levitical holiness.

Reflection Questions

  1. What 'separate places' does God call you to maintain—boundaries protecting your devotion from worldly contamination?
  2. How does Christ's work sanctify believers, setting them apart while sending them into the world?

Compare 4 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
הַבִּנְיָ֛ן1 of 21

“Now the building”

H1146

an edifice

אֲשֶׁר֩2 of 21
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

אֶל3 of 21
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

פְּנֵ֨י4 of 21

“that was before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

הַגִּזְרָ֜ה5 of 21

“the separate place”

H1508

the figure or person (as if cut out); also an inclosure (as separated)

פְּאַ֣ת6 of 21

“at the end”

H6285

properly, mouth in a figurative sense, i.e., direction, region, extremity

דֶּֽרֶךְ7 of 21

“toward”

H1870

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

הַיָּ֗ם8 of 21

“the west”

H3220

a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif

רֹ֖חַב9 of 21

“broad”

H7341

width (literally or figuratively)

שִׁבְעִ֣ים10 of 21

“was seventy”

H7657

seventy

אַמָּֽה׃11 of 21

“cubits”

H520

properly, a mother (i.e., unit of measure, or the fore-arm (below the elbow), i.e., a cubit; also a door-base (as a bond of the entrance)

וְקִ֧יר12 of 21

“and the wall”

H7023

a wall (as built in a trench)

הַבִּנְיָ֛ן13 of 21

“Now the building”

H1146

an edifice

חָֽמֵשׁ14 of 21

“was five”

H2568

five

אַמָּֽה׃15 of 21

“cubits”

H520

properly, a mother (i.e., unit of measure, or the fore-arm (below the elbow), i.e., a cubit; also a door-base (as a bond of the entrance)

רֹ֖חַב16 of 21

“broad”

H7341

width (literally or figuratively)

סָבִ֑יב17 of 21

“round about”

H5439

(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around

סָבִ֑יב18 of 21

“round about”

H5439

(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around

וְאָרְכּ֖וֹ19 of 21

“and the length”

H753

length

תִּשְׁעִ֥ים20 of 21

“thereof ninety”

H8673

ninety

אַמָּֽה׃21 of 21

“cubits”

H520

properly, a mother (i.e., unit of measure, or the fore-arm (below the elbow), i.e., a cubit; also a door-base (as a bond of the entrance)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Ezekiel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Ezekiel 41:12 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Ezekiel 41:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 42:1Ezekiel 42:10Ezekiel 41:13-15Ezekiel 42:13Revelation 21:27Revelation 22:14-15

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